Filing indicates Nixa worker in theft case had deep debt

SPRINGFIELD — A bankruptcy filing shows that a former Nixa streets department worker charged with defrauding the city for thousands of dollars was deeply in debt.

The December filing says David Griggs and his wife had liabilities of about $200,000 and almost no assets. He and former streets superintendent Larry Covington and Covington's wife are accused of swindling the city for as much as $750,000.

Last week federal authorities filed charges against Griggs alleging that the 44-year-old embezzled nearly $10,000 from the city. State charges were dropped the previous day. Covington and his wife, Paula Covington, were also charged in February.

The filing says the Griggs couple were saddled with debt from credit cards, medical services and student and home loans.